Hi, I’m fairly new to Zbrush and would appreciate some help.
What is the best way to model a character from Autodesk Maya to Zbrush?
Is it best to have a generic shaped model from Maya (that can be used for all models) then scultp the character’s body shape and going on to finer detailing all with Zbrush?
Or if you know of any better techniques that will speed up my modelling process without losing the quality?
Appreciate any advice.
Thankyou.
What’s the best way to paint a picture? That’s obviously a very broad subject, and it usually takes an artist years of practice with different techniques before they discover the answer that works for them.
Some people model their characters extensively in outside applications, then use ZB for light detail work. Some people model a rough base mesh externally, then import that and model other details and sculpt extensively in Zbrush. Others yet use Zspheres and Zsketching to build rough character forms in Zbrush, then draw new topology over those forms and sculpt.
There is no best way, there is only what works for you. The only way to discover that, is to become familiar with the ins and outs of all those techniques through practice. There is no shortcut to that knowledge, unfortunately.
I agree with Bingo_Jackson - you can’t know until you try. I’d suggest finding a couple of tutorials on exporting base meshes from Maya to Zbrush, and do it a few times in different ways; export a detailed base mesh and try fine-tuning in Zbrush, then exporting a moderately detailed base and work it a bit more in Zbrush, and finally making a very basic base mesh and retooling it completely in Zbrush.
Also, try building the shapes using Zspheres and see how that takes you. Personally, I like to build base meshes in 3D Studio Max for certain things, like feet and hands, then export them to Zbrush to rough out the shape a bit more, retopologize, then work in Zbrush - however, for things like eyes, I work exclusively within Zbrush to make them. It’s all dependent on what works best for you, individually.